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FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS)

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Hyperion

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In Reply to: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) posted by Budrew on November 13, 2002 at 20:44:44:

Wait till you upgrade your Silver Streak i/c to something better (and the Kimber Select stuff are quite good). Also, the LW-1 is even more transparent, cleaner sounding, more expressive, with a better pot like the DACT. As much as Paul hates me for being the villain hehehe, I stick to my guns that the DACT mod is a must to elevate the LW-1's performance several notches up when used in top notch systems.
I've had my LW-1 for 4 years, and almost 1.5 years with DACT. Wish it had a heavier less resonant chassis, and solid knobs hehehe. Oh yeah and where's the remote, Paul? :)

Follow Ups:

Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - Budrew 07:58:03 11/15/02 (1)
I have to agree that even though the stepped attenuators may be the best sounding option, the convenience tradeoff is not worth the difference in my book. In researching passive preamps, all reviewers of the Placette preamps state the stepped volume control will be an issue for some people and it's the one thing about them that they caution about. I listen a lot at night when I need the volume level low and a design like the Alps is preferable. My car audio system has a stepped attenuator (hardly a DACT I'm sure) and it's frustrating even then to not be able to find the optimum volume setting. The LW-1 appears to be a well thought out balance of features and quality. It may not be the absolute best in terms of sound quality, but it is very user friendly unlike some other components while maintaining a high degree of high-end sound.
- Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - AbeCollins 03:17:07 11/16/02 (0)
  Budrew, the stepped attenuator in the Placette is less of an issue than others in terms of volume level steps. The Placette has 128 discrete steps which is significantly more than most stepped attenuators - and it is remote controlled which is a big advantage for some of us.
  On top of that, Guy will attempt to select resistor values to match your source gear and gain of your system if you can give him some info about your current setup. He did this for me as my cd player source is a bit on the hot side at 3v out of the RCA jacks. I can barely even detect the difference in sound level between a single step and at moderately loud (normal) volume levels I'm approximately midway on the control range at a little under 64 steps of 128 available.
Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - NEAR SOTA 06:11:08 11/15/02 (0)
The DACT would be good to try out,but the LW-1 does good with the ALPS pot.I agree with Paul about the Vol. settings not being adequate for night music.It's the reason I did not want a Preamp that was stepped even before getting or finding the LW-1.FOr some amp\Pre\Spkr. combo's it's probably alright,but I do not want to chance it(being cheap).I'd rather speand my $$ on other equiptment like upgrading my speakers for now .
Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - Paul L 05:21:22 11/15/02 (3)
Hey Hansen,
I did not say the DACT did not improve thing. But the system acceptance is not high enough for us to risk offering as the factory mod. The major negative response is hard to find a correct volume setting. Even Ferdinand has this problem. Once click is too loud and the lower one is too soft. I have encourage customers to try it themselve after getting the standard unit. If you can tolerate that volume setting spread, that is great, keep the DACT mod. Otherwise go back to the ALPs. Say for one of my system, even one click of the DACT is too loud for some night listening.
Paul Lam
P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc.
- Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - Hyperion 09:11:50 11/15/02 (0)
  Really? Man I must listen really loud or most of the audiophile world listen at lullaby levels! 8P Man where are those 300Wpc solid state amps being used? hehehe 8P
  Honestly, 24 steps is way too many steps for me, I don't think I use more than 5 in a typical day hehehe ... (my usual levels at: 9, 10 (vocals), 11 (jazz etc), 12 (loud) and 3 o clock (very loud)- that's it. I actually even like the stepped settings better, easier to remember the exact volume levels that I like for each song.
- Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - (PS) - Paul L 07:16:17 11/15/02 (1)
  When I was asked about the DACT mod, I offered to the customers that I will do the mod but it will be a no return option. So far no customer want to take this option. Our ALPs version only has two returns in 6 years history. I don't understand why they don't want to take the DACT mod if they have faith in the DACT.
  Paul Lam
  P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc.
  - Re: FT Audio LW-1 Preamplifier (SS) - (PS) - Hyperion 09:17:46 11/15/02 (0)
    Common sense. They have no faith because you have a no return option for DACT'ed LW-1. Even I would take the alps version if I were a new buyer. 8P

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